Rugby care home chef nominated for national cooking award

Jane Elton, 47, who works for Anya Court care home in Dunchurch Road, has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Care Chef’ category at the National Care Awards.

The nomination follows in the footsteps from this year’s Hallmark Care Homes Awards where head chef, Jane who started working for the home in February, was named ‘Care Chef of the Year.’

The National Care Awards, first established in 1998, by leading care publication Caring Times, seek to acknowledge and celebrate the very best people in the long-term care sector.

Jane Elton said: “It feels brilliant to have been nominated, it’s the best achievement I’ve ever had in my professional career.

“My grandparents inspired me to cook from an early age and they have been a massive influence on my desire to become a chef. This in turn has made me passionate about catering for the residents.

“I prepare meals for them as I would my own grandparents, providing nutritious, home cooked food served with my own signature style.”

In the residential, nursing and dementia home, Jane has been praised by residents, relatives and team members for the fine dining experiences she provides and her ability to cater to the resident’s individual tastes and needs.

Nominating her for the award, hospitality services manager at Anya Court, Hannah Bradford, said: “Jane consistently provides high quality food while catering for individual tastes and requirements. The food gets amazing feedback - even on Twitter!

“She cares and delivers a service which is far superior to other homes.”

The 2015 winners will be named at a ceremony hosted by comedian Hugh Dennis at the Hilton Metropole today (Friday, November 27).

Dr Richard Hawkins, editor in chief of Caring Times and organiser of the National Care Awards, said: “The aim of the National Care Awards over the last seventeen years is to identify and reward the very best people in long-term care.

“At a time of unprecedented challenges to the long term sector it is vital we attract, support and nurture the people upon whom so many older, highly dependent people rely. The National Care Awards is proud to be at the centre of that process.”

Anya Court is part of Hallmark Care Homes, the award-winning specialist care provider established in 1997, with 16 care homes across England and Wales.